A control and monitoring system for a rotating animal platform which includes multiple animal stalls arranged about its periphery, where the system includes an interactive display screen which displays output information relating to the current status of operations on the platform and which displays input channels for use by an operator, the platform itself is represented at said interactive display screen by an annular shape, each stall on the platform is graphically represented by a cell, the cells are displayed in a spatial arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of stalls on the platform, real-time status information relating to operations on the platform is represented at each cell, and the rotating movement of the platform is represented by the progression of each cell about the displayed representation of the platform.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system, comprising: a platform ( 14 ) comprising plural animal stalls arranged about a periphery thereof, the platform having an annular shape, the animal stalls dividing the annular shape, the platform being a rotary platform with rotary movement; operating units ( 20 , 22 , 24 ), the operating units being from the group consisting of electromechanical units which carry out operations on animals on the platform ( 14 ), electromechanical units which carry out operations on the platform ( 14 ), control system elements which interact with the platform ( 14 ), control system elements which interact with the electromechanical units, and control system elements which interact with an operator; and a control system ( 27 ) that comprises a control computer with data storage, the control computer operatively connected to the platform ( 14 ), operatively connected to the operating units, and monitoring a current status of operations on the platform and in the stalls, the control system including an interactive display ( 28 ) which displays: i) output information relating to the control computer monitored current status of operations on the platform, ii) a representation of an entirety of the annular shape of the platform with each of the stalls graphically represented by a cell ( 8 ) within the representation of the annular shape of the platform, wherein the cells are displayed in a spatial arrangement corresponding to a physical arrangement of corresponding stalls on the platform, and wherein the rotating movement of the platform is represented, over time, by a progression of each cell about the displayed annular shape representing the platform, iii) within the cells, real-time status information relating to the control computer monitored operations on the platform, and iv) within the cells, input channels for use by the operator, the input channels individually selectable by the operator to reveal additional status information relating to control computer monitored operations of the corresponding stall, wherein, the control system a) monitors the rotation of the platform and each stall within the platform, and b) as the platform rotates, automatically periodically updates the interactive display, including the real-time status information relating to the control computer monitored operations within the cells, so that the rotating movement of the platform is represented by a progression of the graphical representation of each cell within the representation of the annular shape of the platform, with a position of the graphical representation of each cell within the representation of the annular shape, corresponding to the current position of the corresponding stall on the platform, and wherein the real-time status information displayed within each cell shows one of more process parameters displayed at one of more respective sub-locations inside the cell, and wherein i) a shading or a background color of cells automatically change based on real-time status information relating to the control computer monitored operations in each respective cell on the platform, or ii) a milking progress display appears automatically in each individual cell based on each real-time status information of milking operation commencing in each respective individual cell on the platform, the shading or background color change and the milking progress display appearing at milking commencing thereby visually notifying the operator of the change of condition of the monitored operation.
A control system for a rotating milking platform with stalls arranged in a circle uses a computer with a display. The display shows a visual representation of the circular platform, with each stall represented by a cell. The cells are arranged on the screen to match the physical layout of the stalls. As the platform rotates, the cells move accordingly on the display. Each cell shows real-time status information about the stall (process parameters), and provides input options for the operator. The display is automatically updated to reflect the platform's rotation. The color of each cell or a milking progress indicator within each cell changes based on the status of operations in that stall, visually alerting the operator.
2. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising: further input channels operable by the operator to perform at least one of entering data correction and entering control commands for carrying out the operations on the platform, the further input channels being in the form of at least one of i) icons, and ii) alphanumeric text entry fields, wherein the further input channels are operable by the operator to enter data correction concerning the operations of one of the stalls, wherein the further input channels are operable by the operator for carrying out the operations of the stall, wherein the operating units ( 20 , 22 , 24 ) include robot operative for at least one of the group consisting of i) placing a cleaning and stimulating device on the animal's teats, ii) placing a set of teat cups on the teats of an animal for milking, and iii) post-treatment operations for disinfecting teats after milking has been completed, and wherein the interactive display ( 28 ) is at a location remote from the platform.
The rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 1) also includes operator input options (icons or text fields) for data correction or control commands. These inputs allow the operator to adjust operations within a specific stall. The operating units on the platform include robots that clean/stimulate teats, attach teat cups, and disinfect teats post-milking. The operator interacts with these robots via the visual display from a location that may be far from the platform itself.
3. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 2 , wherein, when an animal management process is being conducted on an animal present in the corresponding stall represented by the cell, each of the one of more process parameters in the cell exhibits current status information relating to a parameter of the animal management process being conducted on the animal present in the corresponding stall represented by the cell, and wherein the shading or the background color of cells representing stalls without animals present are shaded or is different from cells representing stalls with animals present.
In the rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 2), if an animal is present in a stall, the cell displays parameters relating to the animal management process currently underway in that stall. Furthermore, stalls with animals present are visually distinguished from empty stalls by a shading or color difference in their respective cells.
4. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 3 , further comprising an animal data bank operatively connected to the control system, the animal data bank comprising animal specific data including current data specific to the animal present in the corresponding stall, wherein, the control system communicates with the animal data bank and retrieves the current data specific to the animal present in the corresponding stall from the animal data bank so that the current status information includes animal parameters of the animal present in the corresponding stall.
The rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 3) also includes a database of animal-specific data. The control system retrieves the data for the animal currently occupying a stall and displays relevant animal parameters as part of the stall's status information on the screen.
5. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising: further input channels operable by the operator to perform at least one of entering data correction and entering control commands for carrying out the operations on the platform, the further input channels being in the form of at least one of i) icons, and ii) alphanumeric text entry fields, wherein the further input channels are operable by the operator to enter data correction concerning the operations of one of the stalls.
The rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 1) includes operator input options (icons or text fields) for data correction concerning the operations of one of the stalls.
6. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 5 , wherein the further input channels are operable by the operator for carrying out the operations of the stall.
The rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 5) includes operator input options for controlling the operations within a specific stall.
7. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 6 , wherein the operating units ( 20 , 22 , 24 ) are the electromechanical units which carry out operations on the animals on the platform within the stalls, and the further input channels are operable by the operator for carrying out the operations of the plural operating units ( 20 , 22 , 24 ) via the control computer.
In the rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 6), the operator can use the input channels to control the electromechanical units performing actions on the animals within the stalls via the control computer.
8. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 7 , wherein, the input channels are further operable by the operator to enter control commands changing operating parameters of one of the operating units carrying out the operations at the corresponding stall.
In the rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 7), the operator can use the input channels to change operating parameters of the electromechanical units working on a specific stall.
9. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein, the representation of the annular shape of the platform on the interactive display is one of the group consisting of i) a circular annulus shape, ii) a ring shape, iii) a polygon shape, and iv) a circular, irregular shape.
In the rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 1), the visual representation of the circular platform on the display can be a circle, ring, polygon, or an irregular circular shape.
10. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein, the representation of the annular shape of the platform on the interactive display is one of the group consisting of i) a circular annulus shape, and ii) a ring shape, and the representation of the annular shape of the platform has an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter, in the representation, each cell has a shape of a sector of the annular shape, and a display area located radially inside the inner perimeter of the representation of the annular shape includes further automatic real-time status information relating to the control computer monitored current status of milking operations in a selected one of the stalls on the platform.
In the rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 1), the visual representation of the circular platform is a circle or ring. Inside this ring, in the central area, the system displays detailed real-time status information for a selected stall. Each stall has the shape of a sector of the circular platform.
11. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein, each cell shows at least two process parameters displayed at respective discrete sub-locations inside the cell.
In the rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 1), each stall's cell on the display shows at least two process parameters, each displayed in its own distinct sub-location within the cell.
12. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 11 , wherein, the respective discrete sub-locations in each cell change and adopt the specific and unique relative arrangement in the cell for each represented circumferential position of the cell.
In the rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 11), the arrangement of the process parameters within each cell changes depending on the stall's position as it moves around the circular representation of the platform.
13. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 12 , wherein, the change in said specific and unique relative arrangement in the cell for each respective discrete sub-location is derived from a current angular position of the cell about the periphery of the representation of the annular shape.
In the rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 12), the arrangement of process parameters within a stall's cell is determined by the cell's angular position around the circular platform representation.
14. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 11 , wherein, relative spatial positions of said sub-locations within each cell are transposed when the cell moves across a central horizontal plane which substantially bisects the annular shape.
In the rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 11), the positions of the sub-locations of the process parameters within the cell are mirrored or transposed when the cell passes the horizontal mid-line of the annular display.
15. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein, the change in said specific and unique relative arrangement in the cell for each respective discrete sub-location is pre-determined for each angular position of the cell about the periphery of the representation of the annular shape.
In the rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 1), the arrangement of the process parameters within a cell is pre-defined for each possible angular position of the cell as it moves around the circular representation of the platform.
16. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the background color within the cells change based on a change in the real-time status information relating to the control computer monitored operations on the platform, and a specific color corresponds to a specific status of the cell.
This invention relates to a control and monitoring system for a rotating animal milking platform, specifically focusing on visual status indicators for real-time operational monitoring. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently tracking and displaying the operational status of various components and processes on a rotating milking platform, ensuring operators can quickly identify and respond to issues. The system includes a control computer that monitors operations on the platform, such as milking machine status, animal identification, and platform rotation. The monitoring interface features a grid of cells, each representing a different operational parameter or component. The background color of each cell dynamically changes based on real-time status updates from the control computer. Each color corresponds to a specific status, such as normal operation, warning, or error, allowing operators to visually assess the system's condition at a glance. For example, green may indicate normal operation, yellow may signal a warning, and red may indicate an error requiring immediate attention. This color-coding system enhances situational awareness and reduces response time to operational issues. The system may also include additional features like historical data logging and automated alerts for further operational oversight.
17. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein, said additional status information relating to the corresponding stall is displayed in addition to and in combination with the annular shape representation of said platform, and the representation of the annular shape of the platform on the interactive display is a circular annulus shape.
In the rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 1), additional detailed status information about a specific stall is shown alongside the annular platform representation on the display, and the platform display is a circular annulus shape.
18. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein, said additional status information relating to the corresponding stall is displayed in addition to the annular shape representation of said platform in a separate image apart from said graphical annular representation of said platform, and the representation of the annular shape of the platform on the interactive display is a circular annulus shape.
In the rotating milking platform control system (as described in claim 1), additional detailed status information about a specific stall is displayed in a separate window, apart from the annular representation of the platform on the display, and the platform representation is a circular annulus shape.
19. A rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system, comprising: a platform ( 14 ) comprising plural animal stalls arranged about a periphery thereof, the platform having an annular shape, the animal stalls dividing the annular shape, the platform being a rotary platform with rotary movement; operating units ( 20 , 22 , 24 ), the operating units being from the group consisting of electromechanical units which carry out operations on animals on the platform ( 14 ), electromechanical units which carry out operations on the platform ( 14 ), control system elements which interact with the platform ( 14 ), control system elements which interact with the electromechanical units, and control system elements which interact with an operator; and a control system ( 27 ) that comprises a control computer with data storage, the control computer operatively connected to the platform ( 14 ), operatively connected to the operating units, and monitoring a current status of operations on the platform and in the stalls, the control system including an interactive display ( 28 ) which displays: i) output information relating to the control computer monitored current status of operations on the platform, ii) a representation of an entirety of the annular shape of the platform with each of the stalls graphically represented by a cell ( 8 ) within the representation of the annular shape of the platform, wherein the cells are displayed in a spatial arrangement corresponding to a physical arrangement of corresponding stalls on the platform, and wherein the rotating movement of the platform is represented, over time, by a progression of each cell about the displayed annular shape representing the platform, iii) within the cells, real-time status information relating to the control computer monitored operations on the platform, and iv) within the cells, input channels for use by the operator, the input channels individually selectable by the operator to reveal additional status information relating to control computer monitored operations of the corresponding stall, wherein, the control system a) monitors the rotation of the platform and each stall within the platform, and b) as the platform rotates, automatically periodically updates the interactive display, including the real-time status information relating to the control computer monitored operations within the cells, so that the rotating movement of the platform is represented by a progression of the graphical representation of each cell within the representation of the annular shape of the platform, with a position of the graphical representation of each cell within the representation of the annular shape, corresponding to the current position of the corresponding stall on the platform, and wherein the real-time status information displayed within each cell shows one of more process parameters displayed at one of more respective sub-locations inside the cell, wherein a background color of cells automatically change based on real-time status information relating to the control computer monitored operations in each respective cell on the platform, a background color change in an individual stall indicating a change of condition of the monitored operation in the individual cell thereby visually notifying the operator of the change of condition of the monitored operation.
A control system for a rotating milking platform with stalls arranged in a circle uses a computer with a display. The display shows a visual representation of the circular platform, with each stall represented by a cell. The cells are arranged on the screen to match the physical layout of the stalls. As the platform rotates, the cells move accordingly on the display. Each cell shows real-time status information about the stall (process parameters), and provides input options for the operator. The display is automatically updated to reflect the platform's rotation. The background color of each cell changes based on the status of operations in that stall, visually alerting the operator to a change of condition.
20. A rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system, comprising: a platform ( 14 ) comprising plural animal stalls arranged about a periphery thereof, the platform having an annular shape, the animal stalls dividing the annular shape, the platform being a rotary platform with rotary movement; operating units ( 20 , 22 , 24 ), the operating units being from the group consisting of electromechanical units which carry out operations on animals on the platform ( 14 ), electromechanical units which carry out operations on the platform ( 14 ), control system elements which interact with the platform ( 14 ), control system elements which interact with the electromechanical units, and control system elements which interact with an operator; and a control system ( 27 ) that comprises a control computer with data storage, the control computer operatively connected to the platform ( 14 ), operatively connected to the operating units, and monitoring a current status of operations on the platform and in the stalls, the control system including an interactive display ( 28 ) which displays: i) output information relating to the control computer monitored current status of operations on the platform, ii) a representation of an entirety of the annular shape of the platform with each of the stalls graphically represented by a cell ( 8 ) within the representation of the annular shape of the platform, wherein the cells are displayed in a spatial arrangement corresponding to a physical arrangement of corresponding stalls on the platform, and wherein the rotating movement of the platform is represented, over time, by a progression of each cell about the displayed annular shape representing the platform, iii) within the cells, real-time status information relating to the control computer monitored operations on the platform, and iv) within the cells, input channels for use by the operator, the input channels individually selectable by the operator to reveal additional status information relating to control computer monitored operations of the corresponding stall, wherein, the control system a) monitors the rotation of the platform and each stall within the platform, and b) as the platform rotates, automatically periodically updates the interactive display, including the real-time status information relating to the control computer monitored operations within the cells, so that the rotating movement of the platform is represented by a progression of the graphical representation of each cell within the representation of the annular shape of the platform, with a position of the graphical representation of each cell within the representation of the annular shape, corresponding to the current position of the corresponding stall on the platform, and wherein the real-time status information displayed within each cell shows one of more process parameters displayed at one of more respective sub-locations inside the cell, wherein a shading of cells automatically change based on real-time status information relating to the control computer monitored operations in each respective cell on the platform, a shading change in an individual stall indicating a change of condition of the monitored operation in the individual cell thereby visually notifying the operator of the change of condition of the monitored operation.
A control system for a rotating milking platform with stalls arranged in a circle uses a computer with a display. The display shows a visual representation of the circular platform, with each stall represented by a cell. The cells are arranged on the screen to match the physical layout of the stalls. As the platform rotates, the cells move accordingly on the display. Each cell shows real-time status information about the stall (process parameters), and provides input options for the operator. The display is automatically updated to reflect the platform's rotation. The shading of each cell changes based on the status of operations in that stall, visually alerting the operator to a change of condition.
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May 12, 2016
August 8, 2017
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